CBA gets into action at Fordham University. PHOTO COURTESY OF CBA

Bronx NY – Recently, Rob Orellana, the director of the Canarias Basketball Academy, located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, one of the Canary Islands, led a delegation of students and staff on a week-long visit to the East Coast of the United States.

This was the second annual visit to the United States for senior students of the basketball school. The students practiced on the basketball court of Fordham University in the Bronx, and played against Monroe College, a very successful Division I college in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association). The group then traveled to Rhode Island to participate in a prep school tournament. The students and staff returned to New York City for a round of sightseeing. Orellana said the trip had several purposes, play basketball on U.S. soil, which most had never done, expose the youngsters to the eyes of U.S. scouts and give the players the experience of seeing New York City and the East Coast.

Devin Harris and the Nets stunned the Knicks Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. PHOTO BY OREN VOURMAN / LSV

NEW YORK – A 20-point lead in the first half was too much for the New York Knicks to handle Saturday night, and so it was by 20 points that the New Jersey Nets defeated the hometown Knicks 113-93 on Latino Night at Madison Square Garden.

Former teammates Vince Carter (l.) and Devin Harris still share a friendship. PHOTO BY CHRIS PUSATERI / LSV

East Rutherford, NJ – “Hey, wanna go to a Nets game?”

“No?”

What if I told you they’re playing the defending Eastern Conference Champs? 

You’ll also get to see Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard, as well as the return of former

New Jersey great Vince Carter! 

Still not sold?  Alright fine, if you buy a ticket and promise to come, we’ll do your taxes for you. 

Wait, what?

Tracy McGrady and the Knicks are starting to work together. PHOTO BY CHRIS PUSATERI / LSV

NEW YORK – Entering Wednesday, the New York Knicks dropped 10 of their previous 11 games, and 17 of their last 21. 

Their most recent blunder at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday, a 31-point defeat, was the team’s third worst of the season.

Inconsistency has spelled trouble for the slumping Knicks. But something was different Wednesday evening at the Garden – team basketball – which has otherwise been absent for the majority of the year. 

It was this joint effort which propelled the Knicks past the Detroit Pistons in a 128-104 victory. The Knicks head to Canada Friday for a matchup with Toronto and then return home for a Saturday tilt with their lowly cross-river rivals, New Jersey.

LeBron James finished with 26 points, including several dunks. PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

East Rutherford, NJ – The LeBron James Road Show cruised down the New Jersey Turnpike Wednesday night for a quick stop at the Izod Center.

James, the leading candidate for NBA Most Valuable Player, illustrated why he is the No. 1 show in the league. It was hard to say what his greater achievement was.

NBA To Pay Tribute To Its Latin Heritage & More Than

16 Million Hiispanic Fans As Part Of éne•bé•a’s Noche Latina 2010

- Beginning March 3, Nine NBA Markets

to Host Celebrations Honoring the League’s Latin Heritage -

NEW YORK, March 2, 2010 – As part of the NBA’s first-ever, fully-integrated Hispanic marketing campaign, éne•bé•a,  the NBA today announced the schedule of this season’s Noche Latina (Latin Night) program, which celebrates the league’s Hispanic heritage with special telecasts and in-arena festivities, including distinctive NBA team uniforms.

This year, Noche Latina celebrations will begin on March 3 and take place in Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, Chicago, Houston, New York, and Orlando, and highlight the impact of the league’s Hispanic players - including 18 players from six Latin American countries and Spain - while paying tribute to the more than 16 million Hispanic NBA fans across the country.

“With Hispanics comprising 15 percent of our fan base, we have a responsibility to connect with them in meaningful ways," said Saskia Sorrosa, NBA Senior Director of Hispanic Marketing. “Noche Latina is an opportunity for us to thank the Hispanic community for their support and showcase how their pride and passion impact our teams and players.”

Noche Latina, first launched during the 2006-07 NBA season, features uniforms that display the team name as spoken by the Latin population. The Miami Heat, for example, is called “El Heat”; the San Antonio Spurs are referred to as “Los Spurs.”

To further honor Hispanic fans and players during Noche Latina games, participating teams will host in-arena Latin-themed activities, including music, performances, and giveaways. Noche Latina events will be supported with television and radio advertising on both English- and Spanish-language media across the country as well as on the league’s Spanish-language Web site, NBA.com/enebea. Noche Latina merchandise, including the special game jerseys produced by adidas, will be available at the NBA Store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, Champs Sports retail stores, online at NBAStore.com, and at in-arena stores for participating teams.

Noche Latina 2010 Schedule:

1.     Wednesday, March 3 – Detroit Pistons @ New York Knicks (Nueva York)

2.     Saturday, March 6 – New Jersey Nets @ New York Knicks (Nueva York)

3.     Wednesday, March 10 –  New York Knicks @ San Antonio Spurs (Los Spurs)

4.     Thursday, March 11 – Chicago Bulls @ Orlando Magic (El Magic)

5.     Friday, March 12 –  Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls (Los Bulls)

6.     Saturday, March 13 –   New York Knicks @ Dallas Mavericks (Los Mavs)

7.     Tuesday, March 16 –  San Antonio Spurs @ Miami Heat (El Heat)

8.     Thursday, March 18 – Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat (El Heat)

9.     Saturday, March 20 – Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks (Los Mavs)

10.  Sunday, March 21 –  Washington Wizards @ Los Angeles Lakers (Los Lakers)

11.  Sunday, March 21 –  Portland Trail Blazers @ Phoenix Suns (Los Suns)

12.  Wednesday, March 24 – Los Angeles Lakers @ San Antonio Spurs (Los Spurs)

13.  Thursday, March 25 –  Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls (Los Bulls)

14.  Friday, March 26 –   New York Knicks @ Phoenix Suns (Los Suns)

15.  Tuesday, March 30 – Washington Wizards @ Houston Rockets (Los Rockets)

Zach Randolph dominated his former team Saturday night. PHOTO BY OREN VOURMAN / LSV

NEW YORK – In Zach Randolph’s only visit to Madison Square Garden on the year, the one-time Knick got the better of his former club, pouring in a team-high 31 points and a Memphis Grizzlies franchise-best 25 rebounds in a 120-109 win over New York Saturday night.

Playing for his fourth team in eight seasons, the former Michigan State standout was a menace in the paint, grabbing boards and filling the stat sheet with points. He also excelled at the free throw line, converting on 11-of-13 attempts.